Government

Sergio Mattarella, the President of Italy, has decreed that the elite Order of the Star of Italy-- Commander Class be provided to H.E. Eng. Mohammed Ahmed Bin Abdul Aziz Al Shehhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy for Economic Affairs, in recognition of his outstanding efforts to foster economic cooperation between the business communities of Italy and the UAE.

The Order of the Star of Italy is Italy's greatest medal of honor. It is granted just by governmental decree and acknowledges foreign personalities for enhancing Italy's relations with the international community at the political, financial and social levels.

The Undersecretary was officially gave the order of benefit during a special event organized by the Ambassador of the Republic of Italy to the UAE, Liborio Stellino, at his residence in Abu Dhabi. The event was attended by the ambassador's better half, prominent investors and business figures, and members of Italy's diplomatic corps.

Present were H.E. Majid Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI); H.E. Sultan bin Hadda Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Sharjah Economic Development Department; H.E. Hamad Bu Amim, Director General of DCCI; H.E. Humaid Bin Butti, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy for the Corporate Sector and Consumer Protection; H.E. Dr. Saeed Al Ghafli, General Director of Emirates Identity Authority; H.E. Otaiba Saeed Al Otaiba, Chairman of Al Otaiba Group and member of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and market; and H.E. Yahya Lootah, Board Member of DCCI.

The Italian ambassador stated that H.E. Eng. Al Shehhi was genuinely worthy of the difference provided his reliable role in assisting in joint financial committee meetings and motivating bilateral financial visits in between the two nations. He likewise commended the Undersecretary for organizing delegations to Expo Milano 2015 and for actively participating in several initiatives which have additional strengthened the industrial ties of Italy and the UAE and opened up many mutually useful financial investment opportunities.

H.E. Ambassador Stellino personally awarded H.E. Eng. Al Shehhi the medal and also provided a certificate of appreciation, wishing the Undersecretary continued success and promising to participate in more joint efforts to more cement the bonds in between the two friendly nations.
H.E. Eng. Al Shehhi said: "I would like to reveal my sincere gratitude to H.H. the President of Italy and the Italian Government for bestowing me with such an excellent honor. I would likewise want to thank H.E. Liborio Stellino for his excellent work in promoting extremely efficient and cooperative relations in between Italy and the UAE.".

The Undersecretary noted that the long and amicable ties in between the UAE and Italy have led to excellent bilateral economic and industrial partnerships. He included that economic sector activities in the two countries have actually been growing significantly, creating extremely attractive investment environments. He also referred to a variety of bilateral contracts which have set reward frameworks to even more boost economic cooperation.

The Ministry of Economy has actually registered 92 Italian companies together with 478 business firms and 2,040 trademarks in the UAE. Bilateral trade in between the two nations stood at USD 6.14 billion in 2015, with USD 1.6 billion originating from inter- free zone trade.

The Order of the Star of Italy was inaugurated by the first President of Italy, Enrico Di Nicola, in 1941, to honor the exceptional efforts of personalities from beyond Italy for their role in restoring the country after World War II. It was known then as the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity till 2011, when it was renamed as the Star of Italy. It includes five honor classes, starting from Knight approximately Knight Grand Cross.

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